Subaqueous rock-breaker.



B. H. GOFFEY. SUBAQUEOUS ROCK BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1907.

Patented Apr. 27, 1909.

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'B. H. GOFPEY.

SUBAQUEOUS ROCK BREAKER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 23, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Apr. 27, 1909.

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UNITED STAT .jlti A TENT OFFIQEO BARTON H. OOFFEY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSE Y, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, l.O SUBMARINE COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SUIBAQUEOUS ROCK-BEE AKEB.

No. 919,422. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented April 27, 1909.

Application filed May 23. 1907. Serial No. 375,276.

T all whom it may concern: wearing qualities; to provide a structure Be it known that I, BARTON ll. Courier, a whereby the apparatus may be interchangecitizen of the United States, residing in able so as to operate by direct impact, in a Elizabeth, county of Union, State of New manner explained in my said re-issue patent,

5 Jersey, have invented certain new and useful or indirect impact, which is employed in my Improvements in Subaqueous Rock-Breaksaid pending application, as desired, this beers, of which the following is a specification. ing carried out by the use of a cutting point My invention relates to that class of sub- 1 which can be transferred from the chisel to aqueous rock-breakers in which the rockthe hammer while at the same time removing 1O breaking machinery is surrounded by a caistho chisel and its appurtenances.

son or tube from \VdlCh water may be eX- Other objects will appear in the reading of eluded; and is more especially useful where the tollowmg description. the rock-breaking energy is to be transmitted I will first describe one or more specrhc to the rock through a chisel which rests upon embodiments of my invention, and then 15 the rock and is struck by a reciprocating point out the novel features thereof in the Weight or hammer. Some of the features of claims. improvement, however, are adaptable to In the drawings accompanying this appliother classes of impact rock-inreakers, for e.\' cation, Figure I is a central sectional elevaam ale, where the chisel is dropped so as to tion of the lower portion, and Fig. I is a 20 stri e the rock. similar view of the upper portion of an appa- The features which are more particularly ratus embodying my improvement. Bedescribed in detail herein are intended tween the upper and lower portions re )16- improvements, either generally or for specific sented on the drawing by F I and I, t iere uses upon the forms of apparatus illustrated will be a long section of caisson or tube 25 in my prior patent No. 657,515, dated Sepwhose length may vary and will be detertember 1]. 1900, re-issued June 26, 1906, No. mined by the conditions of use, such as depth 12,501, and in my co-pending application, of water. This drawing illustrates the tube Serial No. 284,131, filed October 24, 1905. or caisson, the chisel and its appurtenances,

Among the principal objects of my present and the impact producing mechanism in the 30 invention are the following: to provide interior. The means for excluding water means of readily removing the rock-breaking and the usual vessel or float having been chisel for inspection and repairs; to provide fully described in my previous patent and means for avoiding serious wreck or damage, application, will not be herein referred to. as, for example, in the event of the chisel Fig. II is an elevation of the apparatus 35 being struck by the hammer without sufiishown in Fig. I, looking from the left hand cient resistance beneath the chisel to absorb side thereof. Fig. III is a similar side elethe impact to )rovide means whereby the vation showing the chisel and appurtenances weight of the (311861 may be reduced to a including the mouth piece, slightly rotated minimum, there y effecting maximum eflirelatively to the caisson. Fig. IV is a par 40 ciency of impact to provide means whereby tial sectional elevation of the apparatus of the chisel may rotate with comparative free- Fig. I when the chisel and in'ipurtenanccs are dom in order that it may adapt itself to inremoved, and instead a chisel point is atequalities of the rock while working; and tached directly to the weight moving within means whereby it may be designedlyrotated, the caisson. Fig. V is plan view looking 45 as, for example, for the purpose of rectifying downward on the plane ;rrc, F I, with any displacement caused by its self-adaptathe hammer 18, however, and everything tion to the inequalities of the rock, or, in outside of the caisson omitted. Fig. VI is a. other words, return to its initial position view similar to Fig. I of a modi'lied form of when diverted; to provide an improved form apparatus wherein instead of a separate 50 of chisel adapted to break or split a maximouth piece the chisel is formed with an exmum volume of rock with a minimum cxtension that performs the function thereof. penditure of energy, and possessing high Fig VII is a similar view of another modification with difierent devices for effecting the retention and rotation of the chisel. Figs. VIII, IX, and X are top, side and end views respectively oi a novel form of chisel point especially adaptable to subaqueous rockbreakers. Figs. XI, XII, XIl l and XIV illustrate older forms of chisel point which are available for use with the improvements described in the present application. Fig. XV is a view showing modified detai applicable to the apparatus of Fig. VII.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawing.

A represents a tube or caisson which, as explained, is in ended to contain impact producing mechanism, such as reciprocating hammer, and from which water is intended to be excluded by suitable means, such as oomoressed air admitted in the upper part of the caisson. The caisson may be supported or suspended in the manner indicated in my previous patents and application, from a float or vessel. Part of the suspending apparatus may comprise a rnbal pin or pivot c Fig. ll.

Surrounding the lower end of the caisson is a reinforcing ring a, permanently secured to the caisson. Supporting the caisson when in operation is the shoulder c of a mouth piece C, which latter is fitted at the lower or working end of the caisson so as to be capable of a limited relative movement. It is shown projected into the caisson with a sliding fit. Supporting the mouth piece t. is the shoulder (Z of a chisel D, which in operation normally rests upon the rock; and thereby the rock a'll'ords a support for the chisel, for the month piece, and for the caisson. The chisel D is fitted to receive relative movements through the mouth piece C in the interior of which it engages with a sliding lit. Forming the lower end of the chisel D is a chisel point (3 which may be made removable or interchangeable for purposes which will hereinafter appear. The specific form of this chisel point will be more fully described and claimed. For the purposes of my invention it is ocsirable that the chisel D should be incapable of rotation relatively to the mouth piece C, and to effect this I have constructed the chisel of polygonal form, as will be clear from dotted lines in Fig. V.

Reciprocating within the caisson is the hammer B having the head Z) secured at its lower end, and which is preferably removable and interchangeable. The elevated position of the hammer E is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l at B, and from this position its release may be effected by any suitable means so as to drop it and cause the impact upon the head d of the chisel l) which latter head is also preferably removable.

It will be seen from the above description that the blow delivered by the hammer upon the chisel head will be transmitted through the chisel D and the cutter point d to the rock, thus eflecting a penetration. The effect of such operation is to impart instantaneous movement to the chisel while the caisson and mouth piece remain at rest; but gravity at once brings the caisson and mouth piece again to their original bearing position, as before described. It is thus clear that as the point (Z breaks its way downward through the rock, the caisson A and mouth piece (I keep il'ollowing up. The amount of relative movement between the chisel and mouth piece will depend upon the intensity of the blow delivered by the hanm'ier and upon the resistance ei'icountered by the chisev As long as this resistance is normal, then the relative movement will not exceed the distance between the lace 0 oi the mouth piece and the lower side oi the chisel head cl, and the relative movement of the chisel is limited between these limits. If, however, the re sulting movement should exceed this limited distance, the chisel head will come in contact with the face 0 oi the mouth piece, and this will result in a relative movement between the mouth piece and the caisson. This, however, is something that would only result occasionally when abnormal conditions "were met which resulted in an abnormal penetration for a single blow. In the extreme case that the resistance encountered should be practically nothing, l'or example,

if a small piece of supporting rock should break away at the topo'f a slope, then the enormous impact of the hammer will have a tendency to carry away with it the chisel, mouth piece and anything else that will go. In order to overcome the possibility of dangerous an d damaging results from this, I have in my improvement provided that the chisel and mouth piece may be carried out of the caisson without disturbing the position of the latter. The means by whicli l accomplish. this will be hereinafter described.

On obtaining the required penetration at one point, it becomes necessary to move the rock-breaker to a fresh point. This is accomplished by lilting the chisel clear of the ledge and swinging the entire caisson over to the new point. This is accomplished through the "following apparatus. Attached to the top of the caisson is a split band. 6 Figs. 1 and ll, having lugs at each end and bolts e to tighten the same and to support the links c These llDlIS, as will appear, constitute safety contrivances. Hooked into the lin s a are the adjusting turn buckles e, and these in turn are secured to the wire ropes E, of which I have shown two provided at diametrically opposite sides of the caisson. The ropes E pass downward through the point.

holes a in the casting or band a, which is rigid with the caisson mouth, and the ropes are finally secured to the lugs c -l'ormed upon or attached to the mouth piece inally the re es are slack, as is clear in Figs. II and. l, the slack causing them to bow, as shown at e, and this permits the relative movement before rel erred to between the mouth piece and the caisson.

On hoisting the caisson away from the rock for moving it to a new point, the ropes F. straighten out at e, as shown in dotted lines at e, the caisson now being in the position A. shown in dotted lines in said F I1 and Ill. On 'l'urther upward movennrnt ol' caisson the mouth piece C is lifted, and when Now the lower side of the chise. head 1" comes in contact with the e" of the mouth piece, the chisel is also li'l'ted, and the caisson, mouth piece and chisel can then be moved to the new point.

While the chisel is penetrating the rock there is frequently a tendency to rotate it to a more or less degree, this being due to irregularities in rock stratilication or other causes. As my apparatus is constructed, this will have a tendency to cause the mouth piece C to rotate within the caisson to a slight extent, for example, as shown in Fig. ill, where the lugs c are indicated as out of center. This capability o'l' rotating is extremely valuable with an edged chisel, because it permits the same to adjust itself to the rock conditions and to best locate itsel'l' to elleet a splitting of the rock.

Upon completing the penetration at a given point, and upon lilting the caisson, mouth piece and chisel to move them to a new point, the rope E will be seen to constitute a rectifying device, having the effect of bringing the chisel back to its normal position relative to th rock and to the lloat. For example, it the chisel and mouth. piece have been slightly rotated to the right during one of the penetrations, as seen in Fig. Ill, then only one of the ropes E on each side ol the caisson will tighten when the ,lattcr is li'l'ted. This is shown clearly at c, Fig. l ll. On further hoisting, the chisel and mouth piece, owing to their weight being eccentrically suspended in this manner, will auto matically rotate back to the central position shown in Fig. II.

If the resistance. opposed to the chisel should be so slight that the chisel and mouth piece were driven out of the caisson, the

links 6 constituting safety contrivances, being made weaker than any of the other connecting parts, would immediately break and allow the other parts to go freely with the chisel and mouth piece; this being largely due to the advantageous 'lorrn ot' caisson mouth or its interior which is so unobstructed as to permit the hammer to drop through without tendency to displace the caisson.

\Vhen it is desired to inspect the chisel or hammerhead, or to repair or attach points or heads to the chisel or hammer, it is only necessary to raise the caisson above water, hold the chisel, and unhook the adjusting turn buckles 6, when all parts may be removed from the caisson mouth.

in Fig. V1 is a modification of my invention which dialers from that shown in Fig. l principally in that instead of a mouth piece separatel'rom the chisel D, the. latter is formed with an upward extension that performs the functions of the mouth. piece C. Yrhilc this form is less advantageous in that it involves more weight in the shock transmitting, yet it is simpler and cheaper than the modi'licationv of Fig. l, and is susceptible oi being used with lhc safety devices olFig. l.

in the modi i ation ol' Fi Vll is illustrated a dill'uent device l'or rotating the chisel back to a normal position, and. a dill'erent device for limiting its outward movement relatively to the c sson. In this modi'licais employed, which contion a set screw (1' stilutes not only a limiting device for limiting the outward movement ol" the chisel, but constitutes a safety contrivzuu'e susceptible of giving way and under abnorn'nil strain so as to permit the lnunmer and chiscto drop through the mouth oi the caisson without ail'ecting the latter. in this modi'licatimi is also shown a rotating means for rotating the chisel, consisting of a hand wheel which will preferably be above deck, the same being connected to a vertical shalt F, at the bottom of which is a pinion f. The. shalt F rotates in a bearing secured to the caisson. represents a gear segment which is engaged by the pinion f, and being atteched to the chisel D enables a deck hand to rotate the chisel by turning the hand wheel f. This construction not automatic, but may all'o'rd su'llicient accuracy through suitable in-i'licotors used in connection with the hand wheel by which the deck hand can properly adjust the chisel.

Instead of the hand wheel and gears, an automatic chisel adjusting or rcctil'ying means may be employed, as illustrated in Fig. XV. This '[igure is intended to represent a to rm which may be given to the space (1 Fig. Vll. Normally with such an arrangement the pin (1 will be located at the bottom oi the space (i but when the caisson is lifted -lor shifting to a new position, the inclined walls of the space d no matter what the rotation has been, will invariably bring the pin a back to the central position shown at the upper end oi said space in Fig. XV. In Figs. XI and X11 is shown a conical form of chisel point which may be attachable directly to the chisel shown in Figs. I,

II, III, VI and V II, or to the hammer shown in Fig. IV. This form of chisel point I do not new claim as new, in itself.

Figs. XIII and XIV show a form of chisel edge lQlOWL as a square edge chisel, which I do not new claim as new, but which may be employed under suitable conditions with my improved apparatus.

My improved chisel which is illustrated in Figs. V III, IX and X is one which combines the advantages of the two forms illustrated in Figs. XI, XII, XIII and XIV. Thus it retains the centering effect, or the effect of affording a central impact, which pertains to the conical point; and at the same time retains the advantageous splitting qualities of the square edge chisel.

To these ends my chisel is formed with a curved cutting edge, as will be clear in Fig. IX, the curve being an arc of suitable form, the lowest point of which is axially located. As shown, it also contemplates curved faces abov the cutting edge, as will be clear from Fig. VIII. The cutting part of such chisel point may be described as one which may be generated by moving a vertical V around an arc whose lowest point is located in line with the vertical axis of the chisel; every position of the V being preferably vertical or parallel to every other position, although slight variations would be permissible within the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a caisson or tube, a mouthpiece movable at the working end of the tube, and chisel longitudinally movable through the mouthpiece.

2. In a subaqueous rock-breaher, a caisson or tube, mouthpiece movable at the worlcing end of the tube, and a chisel longitudinally movable through the mouthpiece, combined with chisel-striking means within the tube or caisson.

3. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson with an unobstructed interior, a part fitted at the mouth of said tube or caisson. for limited movement relatively thereto, a chisel point or edge adapted to rest on the reel: and bear the weight of said part and said tube or caisson, and impact apparatus within the tube or caisson.

4. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson with unobstructed interior, a detachable part fitted at its mouth, the same held connected through means which normally permit limited longitudinal movement thereof relatively to the tube or caisson, a chisel point or edge at the bottom, and impact apparatus within the tube or caisson.

In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson with unobstructer interior. a detachable part fitted at its mouth, the same held connected through means which normally permit limited longitudinal movement thereof relatively to the tube or caisson, a chisel. point or edge at the bottom, and impact apparatus Within the tube or caisson, the means which holds said detachable part comprising a safety contrivance.

6. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson with unobstructed interior, a detachable mouthpiece fitted at its mouth, the same held connected through means which normally permit limited longitudinal movement thereof relatively to the tube or caisson, a chisel fitted for limited movement relatively to said mouthpiece, and having a rock-breaking point or edge at the bottom, and impact apparatus within the tube or caisson.

7. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the com- 1 bination of a tube or caisson containing chisel-striking means, a chisel having longitudinal movement relatively to the working end of the tube, devices for limiting the outward movement of said chisel, and a safety contrivance associated with or comprised in said limiting devices, substantially for the purposes set forth.

10. In a subaqueous rockbreaker, the combination of a tube or caisson containing chisel-sighting means, a longitudinally mov able moilthpiece, a chisel having longitudinal movement relatively to the mouthpiece, and devices to limit the outward movements of said mouthpiece and chisel, one of said limiting devices having comprised in or associated with it a safety contrivance, substantially for the purposes set forth.

II. In a subaqueous rockbreaker, the 'oombinationol a tube or caisson containing chisel-striking means, a longitudinally movable mouthpiece, a chisel having longitudinal movement relatively to the mouthpiece, and

devices to limit the outward movements of said mouthpiece and chisel, the limiting device i'or said mouthpiece having associated with or comprised in it a safety contrivance, substantially for the purposes set forth.

12. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a caisson or tube containing chisel-striking means, combined with a chisel longitudinally movable in one end ol' the tube, said chisel, l'iaving a stop limiting its inward movement, means for limiting its outward movement, and a safety contrivance comprised in or associated with said limiting means, substantially for the purposes set 'l'orth.

13. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a cais son or tube, a mouthpiece longitudinally movable in one end of the tube, said mouthpiece having a stop limiting its inward movement, means for liniting its outward movement combined with a safety-piece; in combination with a chisel having longitudinal movement through said mouthpiecev and stops to limit its movement.

14. In a subaqueous rock-ln'eaker, the combination of a caisson or tube, an impact chisel capable of rotation relatively to said tube, and a device. whereby rotation of said chisel may be effected.

15. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a caisson or tube, an impact chisel capable of rotation relatively to said tube, and a device whereby rotation oi said chisel may be efl'ected, to bring it into normal or proper relations.

16. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a caisson or tube, an impact chisel capable of rotation relatively to said tube, and a device whereby rotation of said chisel may be effected automatically to bring it into normal or proper relations.

17. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a mouthpiece capable of rotation relatively thereto, a chisel carried by but incapable of rotation relatively to said mouthpiece, and a device whereby rotation. 01' said mouthpiece with said chisel may be effected.

' 18. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a mouthpiece capable of rotation relatively thereto, a chisel movable longitudinally through but incapable of rotation relatively to said mouthpiece, and a device whereby rotation of said mouthpiece with said chisel may be effected.

19. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a. mouthpiece capable of rotation relatively thereto, a

chisel carried by but incapable ol rotation relatively to said mouthpiece, and a device whereby rotation of said mouthpiece with said chisel may be eflected to automatically bring them into proper relations.

20. In a subaqucous rock-breaker, a caisson or tube, a mouthpiece longitudinally movable at one end of the tube 3 in combination with a stop to limit its inward movement, and flexible attachments to limit its outward movement.

21. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a caisson or tube, and a chisel longitudinally movable in one end of the tube; in combination with a stop to limit its inward movement, and l'lexible attachments to limit its outward movement.

22. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a chisel point having a curved cutting edge, substan tially as described.

23. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, a chiselpoint having a curved cutting edge, and curved laces, substantially as described.

24. In a sulniqueous rock-breaker, a chisel having a working edge, said edge having a curved l'orm with the lowest part of the curve centrally located, whereby a tendency to produce centrality ol action is e'T "ected.

In a subaqueous rcclobreaker, a chisel whose working edge is substantially of a form generated by a vertical V moved around an arc whose lowest point is located in line with the vertical axis of the chisel.

In a subaqueous rock-brealwr, the combination of a tube or caisson, a reciprocating impact weight within the same, a chisel adapted to be struck by said weight, and a part intermediate said chisel and the tube or caisson, said part with the chisel being removably (JOnl'lOCliC (l to the caisson by means which permit lrmgitudinal movement of said part relative to said tube or caisson.

27. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a reciprocating impact weight within the same, a mouthpiece removably connected at the working end of said tube by means which permit longitudinal movement of said mouth piece relatively to said tube, and a chisel iitted with limited longitudinal movement within the mouthpiece.

28. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a reciprocating impact weight within the same, a chisel adapted to be struck by said weight, and a part intermediate the tube and chisel said part with the chisel being rcinovably connected to the caisson by means which permit longitudinal movement of said part relative to said tube, said means comprising flexible members as ropes.

29. In a subaqueous rock-ln'eakcr, the combination of a tube or caisson, a reciprocating impact weight within the same, a chisel adapted to be struck by said weight, and a part intermediate the tube and chisel, said part with the chisel being remm'ably connected to the caisson by means which permit lol'igitudinal movement of said part relative to said tube, said means comprising flexible members as ropes, with hooks that may be unhooked to etlect removal of said chisel and part.

30. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the combination of a tube or caisson, a reeiprocating impact weight within the same, a

chisel adapted to be struck by said weight,

and a part intermediate the tube and chisel, said part with the chisel being removabl r connected to the caisson y means which perj mit longitudinal movement of said part relastruck by the said weight for indirect impact With the rock.

tive to said tube, said means comprising ilexible members as ropes, with hooks that may be unhooked to effect removal of said chisel and part, and safety links connected with said ropes.

31. in a subaqueous rock breaker, the

able mouthpiece at the Working end of said combination of a tube or caisson, a recipro eating impact weight Within the same adaptable when desired to receive a chisel point f for direct impact mouthpiece at the working end of the caisson or tube, held by means which permit limited longitudinal movement thereof, and a chisel carried by the mouthpiece and adapted to be i sect impact 1' *ith rock a removable struck by the said Weight for ind with the rock.

eating impact weight Within the same adaptable when desired to receive a chisel point for direct impact With rock, a removablel mouthpiece at the working end oi the caisson or tube, held by means which permit limited longitudinal movement thereof, and a chisel carried by and longitudinally movable rela- :i';

tivelv to the mouthpiece and adapted to be 33. In a subaqueous rock-breaker, the

paratus including a movable Weight Within the tube or caisson a movable and removtube or caisson, a chisel body movable tlnou'gh said mouthpiece and removable with l the latter, and a chisel-point attachable, as

desired, to said chisel body, or to said movable inrpact weight, whereby the apparatus is rendered interchangeable lor use as a (lirect or indirect impact rock-breaker.

in witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand this 22 day ol May, 1907.

BARFQX' H. COFFEY.

ll itnesses:

OLIVE KING, I G120. L. l"? HEELOCK. 

